“Good idea.” Cody secured the handles of the chair and wheeled it to the side of the bed then helped Ollie get situated. “Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times, please.” He popped the chair back for a second then barreled out of the room.
“It’s like a rocket ship,” Ollie giggled.
Bailey stayed right in step with the chair.
Cody situated Ollie in the kitchen. “All right, little man. What sounds good this morning? We can do eggs again, or maybe bacon and pancakes? Cereal? Your pick.”
Ollie swished his lips to the side. “What kind of cereal do you have?”
“I’m not sure. Let’s check.” Cody dipped into the pantry and found the limited options. He pulled out two boxes. “One with shredded wheat, one with little graham crackers.”
“Ilovegraham crackers.”
“Easy enough.” Cody bustled from the cabinet to the fridge then set a filled bowl on the table.
Ollie wheeled the chair over and grabbed the spoon Cody had set out. “Aren’t you going to eat with me?”
“Coffee first.” He ruffled the little boy’s mop of hair before preparing his morning drink. Once the machine stopped hissing out steam, he filled a mug and sat across from Ollie.
Ollie propped an elbow on the table and rested his head in his palm. He dipped his spoon into the bowl then lifted it again, letting the milk drip off the end.
“Everything all right? Your leg hurt?” Cody wasn’t used to seeing the boy so melancholy but couldn’t blame him if he needed a few minutes to wake up.
“When do I have to go home?” Ollie kept his gaze fixed on the little brown squares in his bowl as he spoke.
“I’m not sure. Why do you ask?”
“I like it here. I don’t want to leave you and Bailey.”
Hearing Ollie’s comment was pure bliss. When he’d offered his home to Katherine and her son, he’d figured it’d be something fun but also have its difficult moments. Times when he’d want his space or privacy, when the kid would be loud or off-putting.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
He dreaded the day he’d wake to find a quiet house with only him and Bailey. Hell, the dog would probably jump ship and find his way to Katherine’s place so she could stay close to Ollie.
“Bailey and I like having you here,” Cody said, not sure what else to say.
“Do you think I could stay forever?” Ollie finally looked up and tears rimmed his lashes.
The bottom dropped out of Cody’s world. He wanted to say yes, to tell Ollie he could stay as long as he wanted, but he couldn’t make those kinds of promises to the kid. At least not yet. “You can stay for now, and after you go back to your house, you can visit whenever you and your mom want.”
One big tear slid down his cheek. “My house is sad. My mom’s happy here.I’mhappy here.”
“Oh, buddy.” Cody jumped from his seat and crouched in front of Ollie’s chair. He gathered Ollie’s hands in his. “My house is a much better place to be with you in it. Trust me.”
“But you don’t want me to live here?”
He squeezed Ollie’s hands and said a quick prayer that he could find the right thing to say. “I want to hang out with you every chance I get.”
Ollie chewed on his bottom lip. “But Bailey’s going to miss me when I’m gone. Maybe she should come home with me.”
Cody couldn’t help but laugh. “She’ll have to stay here. Then I know you’ll want to visit.”
Leaning forward, Ollie threw his arms around Cody’s neck. “I’ll always visit. Me and my mom.”
Cody gave him a quick squeeze then returned to his chair and took a sip from his mug.
Ollie finally shoved a spoonful of cereal into his mouth. “Do you love my mom?”
